How to Grow Plumbago Auriculata

Planting

• 1

  Use a spade or hand trowel to dig a hole the depth of the plant's container and about twice as wide. Roughen the sides and bottom of the hole by scraping with a trowel if the soil is heavy clay or compacted. This makes it easier for the roots to spread into the surrounding soil.

• 2

  Place the plumbago in the hole while it is still in its container. Lay a dowel or yardstick across the hole to make sure that the depth of the hole is the same as the depth of the container. Add or remove soil as necessary.

• 3

  Carefully remove the plant from the container and place it in the hole. Fill in around the plant with soil that you removed from the hole. Press the soil gently with your hands as you fill to remove air space.

• 4

  Plant the next and each additional plant 4 to 6 feet from the previous plant if you want to enjoy the natural cascading effect of the plumbago shrub. To form a hedge, space the plants 30 to 36 inches apart.

• 5

  Water slowly and deeply. Stop when water begins to run off rather than sinking into the soil.

Maintenance

• 6

  Water once a week. During drought and prolonged periods of high temperatures, you may need to water more often.

• 7

  Fertilize twice a year during the growing season.

• 8

  Prune in late winter to control growth and to keep the shrub looking neat. Use sharp pruning shears to make clean cuts. Plumbago tolerates hard pruning, so remove as much as you like for the desired effect. Plants regrow quickly.

• 9

  Treat the shrub with manganese sulfate, according to the package instructions, if leaves turn yellow.